I have never laughed so hard reading a book like I did with this one. Piper owns a spice shop called "Spice it Up."She had a daughter and is divorced . Her ex-husband seemed to have wandering eyes, so he took up with someone else. Meely , his mother is a nice older lady who has designed something that could make her rich.
She is expecting two gentlemen to meet with her at the house to discuss business. Things don't go well and she turns down their offer. But little does she know that her life she about to change and not for the better. When she awakens the next morning, she goes to the basement to retrieve some preserves she wants to use for breakfast. What she finds waiting for her at the bottom of the stairs is Chip, one of the gentleman she met with last night. Her first thought is to call Piper. Needless to say chaos breaks out when police arrive. It seems Meely has a dead body in her basement.
I loved the characters so much and am impressed with the development of each one. There are nosey busy bodies, women who think they are beauty queens, a sheriff who sometimes doesn't show much emotion and Piper's best friend Reba Mae.
There is a scene in the book that reminded me of Lucy and Ethel. Reba Mae is trying to go through a bathroom window at a hotel and gets stuck. Piper is trying to pull her out and it leads to a great reminder of how funny the author' s writing is. It is a fun book, light and full of characters that will have you laughing for hours. Will the murder get solved? Does Meely get arrested and charged with a crime?
This is a must read for all cozy mystery readers who love a great mystery with laughter mixed in.
I received a copy of this book from NetGalley for an honest review.
Friday, November 6, 2015
Tuesday, November 3, 2015
HARD FALLS
by
Elizabeth A Garcia
Genre: Mystery
Author: Elizabeth A. Garcia
Publisher: Mountain Press
Release Date: October 15, 2015
#of pages: 378
It's March in Terlingua and the weather is playing games—icy one day and warmish a few days later. But the weather is not the problem.
The trouble begins with a Photoshopped picture of Deputy Ricos and Sheriff Ben that makes an innocent encounter look like something it's not. Someone is making a problem where none exists. Why?
Mix in the brutal murder of quiet man "everyone likes," a young, green-eyed deputy trainee, a wealthy, mysterious newcomer to Alpine, a prostitute from Mexico, and a local ranch where it appears something "wrong" is happening. Then stir in a cast of characters you will swear you know, hillsides purplish with bluebonnets, and the never-changing/always changing mountains of South Brewster County.
Award-winning author Elizabeth A. Garcia has lived for more than thirty years in the Big Bend country of far west Texas. She has hiked, rafted, explored, and earned a living in this wild desert-mountain land near the Rio Grande, on the border of the United States and Mexico.
It was experiencing the deep canyons, creosote-covered bajadas, and stark, jagged mountains, and the wide-open spaces and dark, starry nights that eventually brought her to writing.
She tells her fans, "I have loved to write since I was a child. As I grew up I never made much time for it. I was busy raising a family and running a company. Once I started writing I realized how many stories have been stockpiled in my brain. I'm getting them out as fast as I can."
Her first novel, "One Bloody Shirt at a Time," won "Best Crime Novel of the Year" from the Texas Association of Authors for 2013. It was her first novel, but not her first written story. For several years Ms. Garcia’s short stories were published by the Big Bend Gazette.
In addition to novels and other stories, Ms. Garcia writes a blog on this site. In the past she has shared her blog with the Alpine Avalanche and later with the Daily Planet. She loves to describe and write about west Texas and continues to live there.
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www.lonestarliterary.com
THE METHUSELAH PROJECT by RICK BARRY
I really enjoyed reading this book because it was written with a bit of suspense , history and science fiction all in one book. The story is set in World War ll and present day. Roger Greene is an American pilot that is shot down in Germany in 1943. He believes that he is going to a prison camp, but it soon turns out to be something completely different. Roger has become a "lab rat." The Nazis are using Americans to have them become immortal . They believe they can make people live forever and Roger is trapped in their insanity. They inject Roger with something foreign that soon helps his body heal and he stops aging. Roger must be having some serious questions popping through his head. Is he living a nightmare or is it a dream?
Roger has not been alone in this project, but he seems to be the only one that has survived the project known as "The Methuselah Project." Since Roger has successfully survived every injection and still hasn't aged, he is kept in captivity for 70 years. What a long time to be a prisoner, but still not age at all. The book goes back and forth in time which makes the story so intriguing. Who does Roger meet in 2015? Will this person help him escape ?
As Roger begins to live in 2015, he is shocked by all the modern technology. I had to laugh as he was introduced to modern cell phones and other gadgets that we think of as common tools today. The story starts to really pick up when the threat of the project could be discovered. Roger is on the run for his life. The people after him will do anything to keep their project a secret. Can Roger trust anyone? The book has other characters that become an important part in the story, one whose name is Katherine. I don't want to give anymore away, but I will say this is a page turner. Get ready to take a journey back in time and then be thrust into present day as Roger fights to stay one step ahead of his captors. The author has done a great job of keeping the story moving at a good pace. Will the project be found out? As the bible says, "All things hidden will be revealed."
I received a copy of this book from The BookClub Network for an honest review.
Roger has not been alone in this project, but he seems to be the only one that has survived the project known as "The Methuselah Project." Since Roger has successfully survived every injection and still hasn't aged, he is kept in captivity for 70 years. What a long time to be a prisoner, but still not age at all. The book goes back and forth in time which makes the story so intriguing. Who does Roger meet in 2015? Will this person help him escape ?
As Roger begins to live in 2015, he is shocked by all the modern technology. I had to laugh as he was introduced to modern cell phones and other gadgets that we think of as common tools today. The story starts to really pick up when the threat of the project could be discovered. Roger is on the run for his life. The people after him will do anything to keep their project a secret. Can Roger trust anyone? The book has other characters that become an important part in the story, one whose name is Katherine. I don't want to give anymore away, but I will say this is a page turner. Get ready to take a journey back in time and then be thrust into present day as Roger fights to stay one step ahead of his captors. The author has done a great job of keeping the story moving at a good pace. Will the project be found out? As the bible says, "All things hidden will be revealed."
I received a copy of this book from The BookClub Network for an honest review.
MOON OVER ALCATRAZ by PATRICIA YEAGER DELAGRANGE
Sometimes you read a book that is so emotional that brings readers to tears. I found a book like that after reading this story that I couldn't put down. The author has developed characters that are strong, have flaws but each looking for that special someone to spend their life with.
Weston and Brandy have wanted a child for so long. Their dream is about to come true as Brandy is three weeks away from giving birth. The nursery is ready, her overnight bag is packed and they are both excited about their first child being born . But then a tragedy happens and they lose their child . The loss of their child is overwhelming for both of them. Brandy is dealing with depression so severe she doesn't want to get out of bed or a desire to be with her husband. She has placed blame on herself that the baby died and can't shake the feeling that she didn't take care of herself during pregnancy. Weston is grieving as well , but when he feels his wife pulling away from him, the hurt of rejection is painful.
As their marriage starts to unravel, two people will enter their life that will have a major impact on their future. Will Brandy and Weston be able to save their marriage? What secrets will cause one of them to walk out in anger and hurt? They are each looking for forgiveness and a way to trust again.
This story is a written with such raw emotions and twists and turns that caught me off guard. There were times as I was reading, that I held my breath for fear of what may come next. I was so invested in the characters I was almost scared to turn the page to see if something more devastating was going to happen. The author has written such a great story that the characters become real to you and you find yourself cheering for some and hoping others would slowly go off into the sunset. This has been one of the best romantic novels I've read in awhile and I'm glad I stuck it out till the end. We all want to be loved, and sometimes we mess up only to regret what we had was not so bad after all. The bottom line is we want to be happy with the right person. This story will take you on a journey where four people will intersect into each other's lives and fight for their happiness and try to let go of bitterness and unforgiveness .
"True love is an acceptance of all that is, has been, will be, and will not be." "The happiest people don't necessarily have the best of everything, they just make the best of everything they have."
I received a copy of this book from Librarything and Ravenswood Publishing for an honest review.
Weston and Brandy have wanted a child for so long. Their dream is about to come true as Brandy is three weeks away from giving birth. The nursery is ready, her overnight bag is packed and they are both excited about their first child being born . But then a tragedy happens and they lose their child . The loss of their child is overwhelming for both of them. Brandy is dealing with depression so severe she doesn't want to get out of bed or a desire to be with her husband. She has placed blame on herself that the baby died and can't shake the feeling that she didn't take care of herself during pregnancy. Weston is grieving as well , but when he feels his wife pulling away from him, the hurt of rejection is painful.
As their marriage starts to unravel, two people will enter their life that will have a major impact on their future. Will Brandy and Weston be able to save their marriage? What secrets will cause one of them to walk out in anger and hurt? They are each looking for forgiveness and a way to trust again.
This story is a written with such raw emotions and twists and turns that caught me off guard. There were times as I was reading, that I held my breath for fear of what may come next. I was so invested in the characters I was almost scared to turn the page to see if something more devastating was going to happen. The author has written such a great story that the characters become real to you and you find yourself cheering for some and hoping others would slowly go off into the sunset. This has been one of the best romantic novels I've read in awhile and I'm glad I stuck it out till the end. We all want to be loved, and sometimes we mess up only to regret what we had was not so bad after all. The bottom line is we want to be happy with the right person. This story will take you on a journey where four people will intersect into each other's lives and fight for their happiness and try to let go of bitterness and unforgiveness .
"True love is an acceptance of all that is, has been, will be, and will not be." "The happiest people don't necessarily have the best of everything, they just make the best of everything they have."
I received a copy of this book from Librarything and Ravenswood Publishing for an honest review.
THE ATHEIST WHO DIDNT EXIST by ANDY BANNISTER
I have set this book aside for awhile knowing that I would have to review it at some point. I volunteered to read and give an honest review. When doing reviews, it is always wise to try to stick to the facts of a book and not give personal opinions. After all, to be fair to the author we review to critique the work, not argue if we believe what the writer puts in their book. I have always tried to be honest in my review and with this book I will continue to abide by my integrity. I will state that I am a Christian and understand that some are offended by that statement. The author is stating his beliefs and giving examples of why he believes God exists. I was told that several people have reviewed this book and many people responded negatively to their review. I know who I am in Christ and will not go to the level of argument just to give a platform to someone who is quick to attack or pass judgment.
The author says that his purpose for this book is simple ,"to clear away some of the weeds of bad arguments so that a more sensible dialogue can be had." He goes on to say , " the God Question is arguably the most important question that anybody can think about." The author states that as an atheist they deserve the right to discuss their belief and give facts as to why they believe there is no God. Non believers ask the question to prove there is a God, so as atheist the same must be stated for them to disprove God exists. Mr. Bannister says that, "if you believe God does not exist , you are highly likely to believe that physics, chemistry , and biology can explain everything"
The book has many examples that prove God does exist. The author uses humor in some areas to get his point across easier and perhaps to open minds to the idea that God is real . He is very outspoken and compassionate about his belief. Through all his examples and facts he says,"If Jesus is who he claimed to be , then because of his history and in spite of ours we can have a future. Perhaps it is time we laid bad arguments aside, even just for a few hours, and gave Jesus a careful, considered look."
I received this book from The BookClub Network for an honest review.
The author says that his purpose for this book is simple ,"to clear away some of the weeds of bad arguments so that a more sensible dialogue can be had." He goes on to say , " the God Question is arguably the most important question that anybody can think about." The author states that as an atheist they deserve the right to discuss their belief and give facts as to why they believe there is no God. Non believers ask the question to prove there is a God, so as atheist the same must be stated for them to disprove God exists. Mr. Bannister says that, "if you believe God does not exist , you are highly likely to believe that physics, chemistry , and biology can explain everything"
The book has many examples that prove God does exist. The author uses humor in some areas to get his point across easier and perhaps to open minds to the idea that God is real . He is very outspoken and compassionate about his belief. Through all his examples and facts he says,"If Jesus is who he claimed to be , then because of his history and in spite of ours we can have a future. Perhaps it is time we laid bad arguments aside, even just for a few hours, and gave Jesus a careful, considered look."
I received this book from The BookClub Network for an honest review.